EarthLink is making available a utility which will detect spyware resident on a user's computer. The utility is called SpyAudit, and is powered by Webroot software. The 300 KB program will scan a machine and provide a reports of all spyware programs which are present. The utility can be downloaded from EarthLink's website.

EarthLink hopes to attract new subscribers to its service through this offering since its Internet software features Spyware Blocker, which protects a machine from spyware unknowingly residing on it. The feature is included in EarthLink's TotalAccess 2004 software.

BRIAN'S OPINION
This is a very smart marketing move by EarthLink. People who are less than familiar with computers will run this utility and freak out when they receive the list of spyware on their machine. Normally these are the same people who download and install everything they can get their hands on, so of course they are sure to have spyware.

This in turn will have the user looking for a quick solution. Of course, EarthLink would like to be that solution. At the same time, if the user did some looking he or she would also be able to find free software that would remove the spyware without any obligation or ISP subscription.

On one hand this is a nice service EarthLink is offering Internet users. On the other hand it's simply another marketing tool to scare subscribers into getting EarthLink since it has Spyware Blocker.

what about…(9:54am EST Thu Jan 15 2004)adaware? I dont get spyware becuase I know how to surf the web and I am not a complete moron like most of my fellow americans. Regardless what do you think is the best?- by alostamerican

Their editor choice went to SpyBot – Search & Destroy. I use SpyBot as well and recommend it. - by Not taken by spyware

Adware is worst then Spam now!(10:21am EST Thu Jan 15 2004)I am a computer shop owner and the last 6 months we are have been swamp with computers that slowing down because of this. Heck some people are back within a month because they can't figure out how to run Adaware after we install it. I think MS has to take a look at IE or do something. - by JMURules

Not taken(10:33am EST Thu Jan 15 2004)Many thanks for the link. Read it, and when I get home I will uninstall 'Sweeper' and go for SpyBot. - by Darwin

Don't be fooled(10:35am EST Thu Jan 15 2004)Don't take this scanner too seriously. I got a report of the Remeye trojan on my system. That's a scary name for VNC, which is supposed to be installed here. I know a few non-geeks that would have a fit if they saw a report like that. I doon't want any of my technically challenged friends using this because frankly I don't want to hear their frantic rambling cries for help when they think they've got a… oooooooooo… VIRUS!! AAAAAAAH! - by Spook

Darwin(11:12am EST Thu Jan 15 2004)You will do much better with SpyBot than with SpySweeper. Be careful about what you are remocing from your machine, it may stop programs from running, like Spook pointed out. So whenever SpyBot finds anything that I am not sure about, I will do a search on the internet about this particular item and then make my informed decision. - by Not taken

EarthLink is scary(11:55am EST Thu Jan 15 2004)I had a contract with EarthLink for two years to be my ISP. At the end of my second year, I canceled the service to go with a less expensive provider. Two weeks later I received a bill for breaking my contract, even though I met my obligations. The same thing happened to one of my family members who joined and canceled around the same time I did. While we were able to straighten out the situation, it took nearly an hour, and even then the customer service reps made it sound like they were doing me a favor by removing the $75 charge. - by No, Don't Do It

Spyware removal(12:46pm EST Thu Jan 15 2004)Spybot and Ad-aware are good compliments to each other. They both find things that the other misses.Before you scan your system be sure to update each of the programs.I used to really like Ad-aware (before version 6). The new Ad-aware interface is awful and they're trying to get you to pay for a fully functional version. The free version is still helpful though.- by cybersaur

Re cybersaur(12:57pm EST Thu Jan 15 2004)I agree the new Adaware is awkward and the incesent requests to upgrade, drive me nuts. Its better to use two spyware removal tools. however its rare that they dont find the same thing, but ive seen it happen recently. There clever these spyware writers. - by NotME

Most recent PC Mag review(2:25pm EST Thu Jan 15 2004)The most recent PC Magazine Review of Spy Sweeper has it beating out SpyBot in items found. Check out the link at - by No spies

Get It On the Mac?(2:36pm EST Thu Jan 15 2004)Can I get this on the mac? Oh, wait, I don't need to worry about that because Mac's don't get spyware!!!!

SO BYTE ME PC LUZERZZZZZ!!!!! - by ILoveMyMac

Adaware is my favorite(3:16pm EST Thu Jan 15 2004)I used “Spybot:Search and Destroy” for a few years, but now Ad-aware 6.0 is my only Spyware removal tool. You have to download those annoying updates because they HELP! Besides being more thorough than Spybot, it's free to home users and has a sweet GUI. - by adware fan

HA to MACLover(3:53pm EST Thu Jan 15 2004)the reason why you don't get it on the MAC is because 3/4 of the world DOESN”T use MACs. So if the majority of people used MACs and not PCs then you will be b!tching and moaning about getting Adware stuff.

THINK! - by JMURules

Having a “favorite”(10:59pm EST Thu Jan 15 2004)Having a favorite is a big mistake.Each one will catch something the others miss.

Firstly I use OPERA.

THEN, I run Spybot, Ad-aware, SpySweeper and SpywareBlaster.

And now, SpyAudit too.

As I said they each will catch something the others won't. I've gone from being literally not able to work at times to zero intrusions.

Here's hoping that SpyAudit catches the very last rat the others miss !!! - by gG

Oh…(11:05pm EST Thu Jan 15 2004)SpyAudit is powered by WebRoot and I just found out they ARE SpySweeper! - by ………..nevermind

The State of Things(8:28pm EST Thu Feb 05 2004)This is truly a sad state of affairs we find our selves – having to worry so much about the junk advertisers are placing on our systems. Our world is dominated by malicious advertising everywhere. Think about it! It's getting way out of control. For example – the Super Bowl was one of the worst peices of theater I can remember – not just the garbage at halftime, either. Call it “entertainment”, but not sport. Think of all the players involved in producing such an event: the network, advertisers, NFL, gamblers in Vegas, etc. – all with their hands in the pot with a stake in the outcome. Given human nature, do you really think this was a pure sporting event with an unpredictable outcome? The ad freaks have gotten way out of hand, and the problem is much worse when examined from a larger perspective. Just a thought. - by Mac User

The State of Things Continued…(8:31pm EST Thu Feb 05 2004)Also, be careful of some spyware programs as they are in themselves spyware. Use only trusted sources. - by Mac User

spyware(3:58am EST Fri Feb 06 2004)Well, I must say…I was confused about what spyware was the most trusted and best over all performance, after comming to this site and reading what people are saying, I must confess…I'm more confused then ever. of course I'm new to the internet and surfing, downloading and all the rest of the headaches but I think I could get use to it,if I could only get rid of pop-ups and the fear of viruses. Go easy on me people…please! thanks - by purple00

spybotted(5:43pm EST Sun Feb 08 2004)After getting my homepage jacked, I installed spybot S&D last evening. It took me the rest of the night to get my HP back in running condition. I allowed spybot to “fix” all the (many, many) problems it found and listed. What did I know? Imediately after the S&D I couldn't even close the spybot window, couldn't get my tool bar up, couldn't run my XP task manager … several small problems. I ended up refreshing the registry back to a week ago. Now. Do I try it again or what? limit the “fixes”?? which ones did the damage? and what about that “report” spybot wants to send automatically back home? isn't THAT spyware? clue me, I'm sorta Un-clued at the moment. I DID get my homepage back, okay? thanks for that. - by gmoore

Re: Not Taken(5:51pm EST Sun Feb 08 2004)Belatedly, I read your comments above. I can look up the questionable “problem” files and decide, right? thanks. I should have read your entry before I set the beast loose on its mission. hey, it ain't called search and DESTROY for nothin'. - by gmoore

they do work(1:03pm EST Thu Feb 12 2004)i have been using both adaware and spybot for over a year and they are very helpful. i installed both on a friends computer and it dramatically changed its performance. it was like and before and after commercial. - by southoftheborder

Viewpoint Media Player(7:54pm EST Thu Feb 19 2004)There is some contraversy about this product. A number of sources tell me that it is a spy program.

I found it on my computer, although I never installed it.

Opinion? - by Jack

Macs(6:08pm EST Fri Feb 20 2004)I too am a mac user…and i am curious, cause i haven't found any files that aren't supposed to be on this, and i haven't found any programs that are running that aren't supposed to be…can they really not get them? i guess i should ask on the apple site…they might know…just a question - by Thorne Chandler

spyware/spybot free? I don't thinkso(9:08am EST Sat Feb 21 2004)I downloaded the “free” spybot and after the first run through a window pops up and says that in order for the program t owork, I have to purchase the full version of it and it says that I can now be directed to their secure website to make the purchase. Ths is after the plea for me to make a donation on their website for the program. So if I donated, now I got to pay so I am overpaying, being extorted. What spyware program is there that works and is free? - by momatwork

Don't belive a hacker.hit a scam with a ham:)(7:31pm EST Sun Feb 22 2004)I downloaded a spyware scanner and remover they are lies I downloaded themand its bullshit it gave me a fucking virus >:( I am so pissed off.fuck those hackers the're asslickers cause of there fault i got a damn virus - by None Of Your bizzwax